This post, featuring an HD video of a wisdom tooth extraction, is different from many previous posts. Instead of tackling a topic and answering questions via the written word, this post uses a YouTube video to answer questions regarding one of the more feared and dreaded procedures in all of dentistry: wisdom teeth removal.

This video was shot in my office and features a young, early 20s patient having a lower right impacted wisdom tooth removed under IV sedation. The third molar and sedation procedures are performed by me along with two assistants. Check it out here:

Having participated in the filming of dental procedures before, I will tell you that capturing high quality video footage is not easy. Camera angle, proper lighting, patient participation, etc. are all difficult to control. I can confidently say that this is very high quality video footage of a third molar extraction (click here to go directly to the video on YouTube).

This video does answer many questions and resolve many myths that I’ve seen in blog comments and in questions I’ve received over years of private practice. Let’s review them.

Does getting a wisdom tooth extracted hurt?

No. In the YouTube video, the patient was given local anesthesia (a.k.a. novocaine) beforehand. She does not flinch nor respond during the procedure. That is because she is numb and is also under twilight sedation.

Does the dentist have to put a knee on my chest to pull the tooth?

No. That is a popular myth that I debunked in this post. Extraction of a tooth requires the controlled, precise application of force. It rarely requires a pulling force. The tooth literally slides up and out of the socket – as you can see at the 2:00 mark of the video.

Will I be in pain for days after getting my wisdom tooth out?

Not necessarily. Each and every case is different. In this video, the extraction itself only took 90 seconds. So she had very little pain afterwards. Other third molars require more time and are more invasive. Those will likely be more painful afterwards.

What is an impacted tooth?

An impacted tooth is when bone, gums, and/or other structures prevent the tooth from coming into the mouth properly. Wisdom teeth are frequently impacted. In the YouTubevideo, we see a soft tissue impacted tooth, meaning that there was a flap of gum tissue preventing the tooth from coming in properly. Other teeth are considered bony impactions in which there is bone preventing the tooth from coming in completely. Bony impaction extractions are typically more invasive.

I hope you enjoyed the video and it helped to answer questions and dispel some myths. Comments are welcome.

Disclaimer

I have a license to practice dentistry in the State of Connecticut. I do not practice dentistry over the internet.

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Disclaimer

The purpose of this blog is to educate and amuse readers on the subject of dentistry. The contents are not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice. If you have questions regarding your oral health, contact your dentist.

Directions in Dentistry

This blog has no connection to the two capable dentists in Michigan Drs. Balaze and Barnard who practice under the name Directions in Dentistry, P.C.

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All articles on this site are original works of Nicholas Calcaterra DDS of Orange, CT unless otherwise noted. Readers may to link to this content, but reproduction on other websites without permission is prohibited.